The British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), often considered the UK’s equivalent of the Oscars, delivered a major upset on Sunday, February 22nd. While Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the evening with six wins, including Best Film and Best Director, and Jessie Buckley took home the award for Best Actress for Hamnet, the night wasn’t without surprises – particularly for Timothée Chalamet. The actor, widely expected to win Best Leading Actor for his performance in Marty Supreme, saw the award go to a relative newcomer: Robert Aramayo.
The win for Aramayo, 33, for his role in I Swear (released as Plus fort que moi in French-speaking territories) was a significant shock. The film, directed by Kirk Jones, is based on the true story of John Davidson, a Scottish man living with Tourette’s syndrome, and Aramayo’s portrayal has earned him critical acclaim. He beat out not only Chalamet, but also Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon), Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), and Jesse Plemons (Bugonia) to claim the coveted prize. But who exactly is Robert Aramayo, and how did he pull off this unexpected victory?
From Westeros to the Silver Screen: Robert Aramayo’s Rising Profile
Aramayo’s path to BAFTA recognition hasn’t been overnight, though his name may not yet be a household one. Trained at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York, he first gained widespread attention for his role as the young Ned Stark in HBO’s global phenomenon, Game of Thrones. Appearing in four episodes, he brought a youthful vulnerability to the iconic character. Following that breakthrough, Aramayo continued to build his resume with roles in the mini-series Mon amie Adèle, a guest appearance in an episode of Mindhunter where he played serial killer Elmer Wayne Henley, and, since 2022, as Elrond in Amazon’s ambitious fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Prime Video. His film credits include appearances in Galveston (directed by Mélanie Laurent), Nocturnal Animals, and more recently, Palestine 36.
Prior to the BAFTA win, Aramayo had already garnered recognition for his performance in I Swear / Plus fort que moi, securing awards from the London Critics Circle Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards. At the BAFTA ceremony, his success was doubled with the EE Rising Star Award, a prize recognizing breakthrough talent. Accepting the award, Aramayo offered a touching tribute to fellow nominee Ethan Hawke, recalling a formative experience at Juilliard. “When I was at school, Ethan Hawke came to talk to us at Juilliard School and he gave an incredible speech about longevity in the acting profession, about how to preserve your instrument and avoid self-destructive behaviors,” he shared, as reported by The Guardian. “And it had a huge impact on everyone in that room, so to be nominated in the same category as you tonight is incredible. Thank you, Ethan!”
Will Aramayo’s BAFTA Win Translate to Oscar Gold?
Despite the BAFTA triumph, Robert Aramayo is not among the nominees for the upcoming Academy Awards. Variety reports that Timothée Chalamet can breathe a sigh of relief, as he will be competing against Michael B. Jordan (Sinners), Leonardo DiCaprio (One Battle After Another), Wagner Moura (The Agent Secret), and Ethan Hawke (Blue Moon) for the Best Actor Oscar. The odds appear stacked against Aramayo, but his BAFTA win has undoubtedly raised his profile significantly within the industry.
For audiences outside the UK, I Swear / Plus fort que moi will be released in French cinemas on April 1st. The film offers a compelling and sensitive portrayal of life with Tourette’s syndrome, and Aramayo’s performance is being hailed as a career-defining role. The film’s success is also a testament to the power of authentic storytelling and the importance of representing diverse experiences on screen.
The BAFTA awards have reshuffled the Oscar race, creating a sense of unpredictability as voting opens on February 26th. While One Battle After Another remains a frontrunner, the night’s upsets demonstrate that the outcome is far from certain. The Academy Awards will be presented on March 2nd, and the world will be watching to see if any further surprises are in store.
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